Making Island Communities Stronger

About PEIACS

Frequently Asked Questions …

Schools start running across the Island in both the Fall and the Winter.

Each school is responsible for it’s own administration and so start dates vary according to the community they are in.

All of the most up-to-date information regarding start dates and other important details can be found on the website on the appropriate school listing.

How can I help?

If you would like to help with your local Community School then the best thing you can do is speak directly with a member of the organizing committee for that school. All schools have contact details listed on their school page on the website.

If you wish to work with the Provincial Board or to start a new school in your area please contact our Provincial Administrator:

Classes occur weekly, usually for a couple hours each evening with a light lunch served at break.

Sessions usually last approximately 10 weeks at which time a closing banquet is held where the students and volunteers can get together to have a meal and to share what they have learned.

How much does it cost?

Each school sets it’s own session fee but most cost between $10 and $20 for the entire session (usually around 10 weeks).

Some courses have an added fee to help cover the cost of supplies ie: craft classes, cooking classes etc …

Will I get a diploma?

No. Community School is more of a social learning environment and does not enforce the kind of regimen necessary to accredit students for their studies.

How much do the teachers get paid?

All of the teachers and committee members in Community School are volunteers. The only person on our team who receives payment for their services is our Provincial Coordinator.

The Coordinator is employed during the Fall and the Winter to take care of all the administrative tasks required to keep the organization functioning smoothly.

Community schools began in Tignish, Kensington and Mount Stewart as a mid-sixties Rural Development initiative when PEI communities were suffering a severe downturn in farming and fishing with the loss of family farms and local schools. Typical early course topics were typing, knitting and sewing. Today there are approximately 30 locations and 100 courses on topics as diverse as rug-hooking, computer use, literacy, historical buildings, geneaology, Spanish and the violin, as well as many others. The organization has survived for over 50 years with the help of the Provincial Government, who support us yearly with a grant, and Credit Union Central. We are very proud to have published a book for our 50th anniversary.
The volunteer nature of the organization is crucial for its success. No-one is paid except the co-ordinator. PEI is unique, and uniquely successful, with this approach. Last year, over 700 volunteers were involved. Courses are widely accessible as the PEI Association of Community School (PEIACS) brochure goes to over 62,000 homes and students pay only $12-$20 for a ten-week course. Courses are now held in the fall as well as winter, which makes for more opportunity to attend more than one during the year. The brochure goes out in the flyer package between Christmas and New Years for the winter courses and by mail or hand delivered in various communities for the fall courses, as well as printed and on-line advertising. Lunch is provided each night and many classes organize a closing meal so there’s a social element. Student ages range from 12 upwards with many seniors participating. Some seniors residences participate in Community School as well, having many hours of fun and socializing.
Old skills are kept alive, and new skills are learned at Community School and individual opportunities are created.